As the first semester is coming to a close, students all across the district must begin preparing for the first final exams of the year. Here at Chandler High School, finals will be held on December 15th and 16th. For our 9th grade newcomers, this will be their first set of many high school finals. Here are a few tips to help everyone prepare:

• Make sure to find a spot where you’re comfortable for long periods! Being comfortable will make it easier to sit and focus long enough to focus. It may also help to work in a new space — a café, park, or even your kitchen table.
• Study with flashcards. Even though it is a cliché, it does help you retain information. “Research conducted by Pam Mueller of Princeton University and Daniel Oppenheimer of the University of California, Los Angeles suggests that writing by hand increases memory retention and understanding.” (Learning-Tribes.com)
• Take breaks, reward yourself! Giving yourself small breaks or rewards in between study sessions can help you motivate yourself to keep going. Whether it’s a five-minute phone break after thirty minutes of flashcard studying, or a piece of candy after reading a chapter of your text, it can help make studying more enjoyable.
• Pace yourself. Don’t try to cram everything in at the last second. (Or do if you wanna live on the edge) But in all honesty, it would be most helpful if you took time to absorb whatever it is you’re studying.
• Switch it up. Don’t stay on one subject for too long. Over time, staying on one subject can become redundant and will lose its educational value. It is far more beneficial if you move back and forth between subjects to stay fresh and on top of things.

Good luck and don’t fail 🙂